System and method for communication of digital images generated from photographic film

ABSTRACT

A photographic system includes a photographic film having a unique identification code thereon. An identification tag is included with the photographic film; the identification tag bears a uniform resource locator that includes the unique identification code, and an associated password. The film is scanned after processing to generate a digital image and the unique identification code is associated with the digital image and stored in a digital storage device. A web server connected to the digital image storage device includes a resource identified by the uniform resource locator for accessing the digital image. A database accessible by the web server contains the unique identification code and the associated password wherein the resource is password protected and accessible by use of the password.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/213,517 filed Dec. 17,1998, now abandoned by Joseph Manico et al.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of photography, and in particular tocommunication of digital photographic images to a remote destinationafter processing of photographic film and for communicating with acustomer of a file processing service for picture previewing andselection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a traditional photofinishing operation, a customer brings in his/herfilm to be processed and printed. Several steps are necessarily taken bythe customer to actually receive his/her finished prints where some ofthese steps are tedious, time consuming, and otherwise inconvenient.With the advent of networked processors it has become possible to entera customer's home via the networked computer to permit a degree ofinterfacing with a film processing service provider. One such provideris Eastman Kodak Company which offers a service called PhotoNet. Acustomer provides the photoprocessing service with a source of developedpictures that are scanned and stored for access via the Internet. Accessto the customer's file may be selectively granted to others having anetworked computer, for example, relatives and friends for viewing anddownloading.

Currently available photographic 240IX film (Advanced Photo System)allows the recording of auxiliary information on a magnetic layer on thefilm. It has been suggested to provide a system that permits thecustomer to record his/her electronic address on the film such that afilm processor could almost instantly make available for viewing adigitized version of the images that have been developed from thecustomer's film and to additionally permit the customer to communicateprint ordering instructions to the film processor which prints can beeither picked up at a later convenient time or delivered by conventionalmeans.

A problem with these approaches is that if a photographer does not havea personal Internet account or e-mail address, this type of service isnot available to her. Another problem with this suggested approach isthat there is no way for a customer to proactively determine the statusof their order. The first possibility that they have to communicate withthe system is when they receive an e-mail notice that they have pictureswaiting. Another problem is that traditional e-mail is not a securecommunication process. Anyone who sees the e-mail message to thecustomer can gain access to the images. It is well known that e-mailaddresses are prone to transcription errors resulting in delivery to anunintended party or not delivered at all. A still further problem isthat if a persons e-mail address changes after submitting the order andbefore receiving the message from the service provider, access to theimages may be frustrated. Basically, there is no guarantee that e-mailwill reach its intended recipient.

There is a need therefore for an improved system and method ofdistributing digital images generated from photographic film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shortcomings noted above are overcome according to the presentinvention by providing a photographic system and method that includes aphotographic film having a unique identification code thereon. Anidentification tag is included with the photographic film. Theidentification tag bears a uniform resource locator that includes theunique identification code, and an associated password. The film isscanned after processing to generate a digital image and the uniqueidentification code is associated with the digital image and stored in adigital storage device. A web server connected to the digital imagestorage device includes a resource identified by the uniform resourcelocator for accessing the digital image. A database accessible by theweb server contains the unique identification code and the associatedpassword wherein the resource is password protected and accessible byuse of the password.

ADVANTAGES

The present invention is advantageous in that it provides a system thatis more secure than the current systems. It allows photographers withouttheir own Internet account, or e-mail address to use the service at apublic facility, such as a public library, publicly accessible terminal,or computer kiosk, or use of a friend's or associate's computer. The URLand Password and database to link film ID with passwords are assigned bythe manufacturer of the film. The scanner/code reader automaticallyassigns URL's and uses the manufacturer provided database to verifypasswords. There is also a security benefit of having the filmmanufacturer provide the user the only hardcopy of the URL address andpassword.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a “One Time Use Camera” (OTUC),

FIG. 2 is a top view of a film cassette with human and machine readableunique ID code;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a pre-paid processing mailing envelope with adetachable receipt encoded with a human readable unique ID, matched tothe film cassette, and including a password;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a processed film strip;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of a single image frame from aprocessed film strip;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting the sequence of operation for oneembodiment of the method of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram depicting a system architecture of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, one-time use camera (OTUC) 10 useful with thepresent invention is shown. The OTUC 10 includes a shutter releasebutton 20, a viewfinder 30, lens 40, electronic flash 50, electronicflash “on” switch 60, and film advance mechanism 65. Referring to FIG.2, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theOTUC 10 contains a film cartridge 70, imprinted with a human readableunique film ID number 90, a corresponding machine readable film IDnumber 100 and an unexposed film strip 80. The film cartridge can be a35 mm film cartridge or an 240IX Advanced Photo System (Advantix) typefilm cartridge. The machine readable film ID number 100 can be anoptically readable bar code on the film cartridge 70 as shown. Inaddition an optical code can be recorded on the film, or in the case ofthe Advantix type film, magnetically recorded on a magnetic recordinglayer on the film.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, thefilm cassette 70 is provided with the aforementioned features for usewith the user's traditional, reloadable camera.

According to a further alternative embodiment, the unique ID number isstored in a non-volatile memory in an integrated circuit chip that isattached to the film cassette. The chip is provided with externalcontacts that enable the chip to be read by a machine, in the same wayas the chips used in smart credit cards.

Referring to FIG. 3, the system of the present invention employs apre-paid processing envelope (mailer) 110 that is sold in combinationwith the OTUC or roll of film. The mailer 110 has a tear off tab 120,imprinted with a unique Uniform Resource Location (URL) address 130 anda password 140. The film ID number is part of, or a reference to the URLaddress that will be used to acquire the images via the Internet asdescribed below. Prepaid mailer 110 is also imprinted with a mailingaddress 150 of a film processing laboratory. For security purposes, thepassword is included only on the tear off receipt and in a databaseprovided to the film processing laboratory by the film manufacturer. Theprepaid mailer 110 may also have an area 155 for the user to write ane-mail address if e-mail notification or e-mail delivery of theresulting images is also desired.

Alternatively, a receipt in the form of a ticket, card, or removablelabel imprinted with the URL and password information may be providedwith the film or OTUC instead of a pre-paid mailer. This would be usedin conjunction with an affiliated retailer that would forward the filmto a photofinishing lab that provides the service or the retailer mayperform the service in house if the retailer is an affiliatedphotofinisher. This is the current procedure in the photographicindustry for providing specialty photofinishing services. Photofinishinglabs that offer “ColorWatch” photo service guarantee to the user thatKodak manufactured paper and chemistry, and Kodak approvedphotofinishing procedures are observed. For the user to obtain“ColorWatch” photofinishing he/she must locate a retailer that providesthis service.

FIG. 4 shows a processed film strip 160 and FIG. 5 shows a close up viewof a section 170 of processed film strip 160. As shown in FIG. 5, theprocessed film strip includes the human readable unique ID code 180 anda machine readable bar-coded unique film ID code 190. For each image200, the film may also include an eye readable film frame number 210,and a machine readable frame number 220. Alternatively, the machinereadable unique ID code 190 may be magnetically encoded on a transparentmagnetic layer on the film strip.

Referring to FIG. 6, the steps employed in using the system of thepresent invention will be described. First, in step 240, the userpurchases an OTUC loaded with film or a 35 mm or 240IX film cassetteencoded with a unique ID code for use in a conventional camera; apre-paid mailer with a tear off receipt imprinted with a unique URLaddress that includes the code on the film and a password associatedwith the unique code. Next, in step 250, the user takes photographs withthe OTUC or conventional camera in the normal manner. When the exposuresare complete at step 260, the user removes the tear off receipt, insertsthe OTUC or film roll into the pre-paid mailer and mails it to thephotofinisher. Alternatively, the user may go directly to a retailaffiliated photofinishing provider that offers this service and requestthe service. At step 270 the photofinisher reads the code from themailer and logs the code into the photofinisher's order processingsystem. Optionally, the photofinisher records the photographer's homeaddress from the mailer. At step 280 the photofinisher reads the uniquecode printed on the film cartridge and records the code number at thefilm spooler or film processor prep station and communicates the codenumber to the photofinisher's order processing system. At step 290 thefilm is processed and scanned by the photofinisher and the unique codenumber is read by the scanner and sent to the photofinisher's orderprocessing station.

The code on the mailer is used to link the user's name and address tothe film ID number. The film and mailer are transferred to an “orderbag” used to transport the mailer, film, and resulting print and/orother image products through the photofinishing lab. The code on thecassette is used to link the “twin check” number assigned to the film tothe photofinishing order bag. The code on the film strip is used oncethe film has been processed by the scanner to automatically assign theURL. With magnetically encoded film, the film does not have to beprocessed for the magnetic code to be readable.

At step 300 the magnetically encoded and/or bar-coded film ID number isread and the scanned images are automatically stored in thephotofinisher's computer in a password protected URL access account withthe film ID number designation. The digital images are accessible viathe Internet, and the password associated with the URL is obtained froma secure database provided by the film manufacturer.

At step 310 a few days (or hours if a retail provider with in houseprocessing, scanning, and digital transmission capabilities is used) mayhave elapsed before the user uses his computer and Internet browser toaccess his/her images from any computer having access to the world wideweb using the unique URL and the security code that was provided on thetear off tab. At step 320 the images are sent to the user's computer andthe user views the images. At step 330 using applets provided by thephotofinisher, the user may now download, manipulate, store and/or printimages using any viewing or printing equipment available at the viewingsite. At step 340 the user may optionally submit a credit card numberand purchase additional prints or image products and have them sent toany address indicated by the user.

As shown in FIG. 7, the system architecture of the present inventionalso includes a photofinisher 350 to process the film delivered 400 tothe photofinisher 350, scan the processed images to generate digitalimages, read the film ID code from the mailer, the film cartridge, orfrom the processed film, and associate the film ID code with the digitalimages. The system also includes an Internet service provider 440 thatmanages a web server 450, and includes an image storage file 470 and adatabase 480 containing film ID codes and associated passwordsretrievable with the unique URL. The web service provider may alsoprovide resources 460 via Java (or equivalent) applications, such as“KIA's Power Goo”, Adobe Photoshop, a Cartoon Algorithm, a Coloring BookAlgorithm, Zoom, Crop, Rotate, Email, Album Page, Post Card, etc. Theseresources are not down-loadable and work only with the images located inthe image storage file 470.

The photofinishing center 350 includes an order entry station 360 forreading the ID code from the mailer 110 or the film cartridge 70 andinputting any customer instructions prior to film development. Thephotofinishing center 350 includes a film processor 370 wherein the filmis developed in the known manner. Several of the stations are providedwith a network connection 410, 420 to the centralized service provider440. If the film contains a magnetic stripe with the unique ID code, thedeveloped film from the film processor 370 is forwarded to a magneticstripe reader 380 which reads the unique ID from the processed filmstrip. After reading the unique ID code, the developed film is forwardedto a photo imaging workstation (PIW) 390 for example one of the severalPhotoCD PIWs manufactured by Eastman Kodak Company for writing PhotoCDdiscs and making index prints. The PIW 390 is used to scan the developedfilm strip to generate digital images and to transform the digitalimages into a hierarchical digital format. The digital images aretransferred 430 to an image storage 470. As part of that process adigital index file of low resolution digital prints is formedrepresenting all of the scanned images appearing on the developedfilmstrip. U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,227 issued Feb. 2, 1993 to Foleydiscloses a system that scans a film strip and forms a digital indexprint which contains a plurality of images corresponding to the imageson the film strip. The digital index print at that point may beforwarded to a photographic printer (not shown) for hard copygeneration. U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,152 issued Mar. 21, 1995 to Manico etal. discloses a similar system for quickly scanning a film strip,digitizing the images scanned, and forming a digital index print filethat is optically printed as a low resolution representation of theimages appearing on the film strip.

If the film contains a magnetic stripe, the magnetic stripe reader 380senses the existence of a unique ID on a strip of film which indicatesthat the customer wants to preview the images on the film strip prior tohaving hard copy prints made. Upon sensing the unique ID code, the filmstrip is forwarded to the PIW 390 for scanning (conversion to a digitalform). The digital file, representing the images on the film strip andincluding the digital index file, along with the associated unique IDcode is forwarded to the central service provider 440 for storage in alarge scale, long term image storage memory 470. If the film processor370 does not sense the unique ID code, either on the film itself, or ona magnetic layer on the film, the digital file is forwarded, in thenormal manner, to the photographic printer (not shown) for the printingof hard copy prints.

Upon receipt of the digital file, the service provider makes the fileavailable at the URL address associated with the unique ID code underthe protection of the password. The file can then be accessed by thecustomer from any terminal having access to the world wide web. Thecustomer can access the communication channel 510 for example via publicaccess terminals 550 such as may be found in a public library 540, orother public building. Access is also available via customer-operatedkiosks 520 having a CPU 530 placed at retail locations.

If the customer has also provided an e-mail address on the mailer 110,the service provider 440 may send an e-mail message to the customer onthe world wide web communication channel 510 indicating that the imagesare ready for viewing. The customer, at a convenient time, can thenaccess the communication channel 510 to view the digital file on themonitor of the customers home computer 500 located in customer's home490.

The customer may electronically order prints of the digital imagesdirectly from any point of access 500, 520, 550 to the communicationchannel 510 using the appropriate software. The packaged order is thendelivered to the address supplied by the customer using any convenientform of shipment. The customer may authorize anyone else to view thefiles and order prints merely by sharing the URL and the password.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference tocertain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention.

10 One Time Use Camera (OTUC) 20 Shutter release button 30 Viewfinder 40Lens 50 Electronic Flash 60 Flash charging switch 70 Film cassette 80Film strip 90 Eye readable film ID code 100 Machine readable ID code 110Pre-paid film/OTUC mailer 120 Tear off receipt with URL address andpassword 130 URL address 140 Password 150 Photofinisher mailing address160 Processed film strip 170 Section of processed film strip 180 Eyereadable film ID code 190 Machine readable ID code 200 Image 210 Eyereadable film frame number 220 Machine readable frame number 240 Userpurchases film/OTUC step 250 User takes photographs 260 User sends filmto photofinisher step 270 Photofinisher receives film step 280 ID numberrecorded from cassette step 290 Film processed, scanned, and ID numberrecorded step 300 Digital image files stored and tagged with ID numberstep 310 User accesses images via Internet and receipt URL and passwordstep 320 Images viewable to user step 330 User manipulates images step340 User optionally orders image products step 350 Photofinisher 360 IDread from cassette 370 Process film 380 ID from processed film strip 390Film scanning 400 Film delivery 410 ID data transfer from cassette todatabase 420 ID data transfer from film strip to database 430 Digitalimage transfer from scanner to storage device 440 Service provider 450Web server 460 Resources 470 Image storage 480 ID/Password database 490User's home 500 Personal computer CPU 510 Communication channel 520Kiosk 530 Kiosk CPU 540 Public building 550 Public CPU

What is claimed is:
 1. A photographic system, comprising: a) aphotographic film having a unique identification code thereon; b) anidentification tag included with the photographic film, theidentification tag bearing a uniform resource locator that includes theunique identification code, and an associated password; c) a scanner forscanning the film after processing to generate a digital image; d) meansfor associating the unique identification code with the digital image;e) a digital image storage device for storing the digital image; f) aweb server connected to the digital image storage device, having meansfor accessing the digital image using the uniform resource locator; g) adatabase accessible by the web server having stored therein the uniqueidentification code and the associated password; and h) wherein themeans for accessing the digital image is password protected andaccessible by use of the password.
 2. The photographic system claimed inclaim 1, wherein the film is in a one-time-use camera.
 3. Thephotographic system claimed in claim 1, wherein the identification tagis removably attached to packaging associated with the film.
 4. Thephotographic system claimed in claim 1, wherein the film is contained ina cassette and the cassette also bears the unique identification code.5. The photographic system claimed in claim 1, wherein the scannerincludes means for automatically reading the unique identification codeon the film.
 6. The photographic system claimed in claim 1, wherein thefilm includes a magnetic layer and the unique identification code isstored in the magnetic layer.
 7. The photographic system claimed inclaim 1, wherein the unique identification code is exposed on the filmas a latent image.
 8. The photographic system claimed in claim 1,wherein the unique identification code is both human and machinereadable.
 9. The photographic system claimed in claim 4, wherein thecassette includes an integrated circuit and the unique identificationcode is stored in the integrated circuit.
 10. A method of deliveringphotographic services comprising the steps of: a) providing aphotographic film having a unique identification code thereon; b)providing an identification tag included with the photographic film, theidentification tag bearing a uniform resource locator (URL) thatincludes the unique identification code, and an associated password; c)exposing and processing the film d) scanning the film after processingto generate a digital image; e) associating the unique identificationcode with the digital image; f) storing the digital image in a passwordprotected URL access account accessible by using the URL and thepassword; and g) accessing the digital images in the URL access accountvia the Internet using the URL and the password.
 11. The method claimedin claim 10, wherein the film is in a one-time-use camera.
 12. Themethod claimed in claim 10, wherein the identification tag is removablyattached to packaging associated with the film.
 13. The method claimedin claim 10, wherein the film is contained in a cassette and thecassette also bears the unique identification code.
 14. The methodclaimed in claim 10, wherein the scanner includes means forautomatically reading the unique identification code on the film. 15.The method claimed in claim 10, wherein the film includes a magneticlayer and the unique identification code is stored in the magneticlayer.
 16. The method claimed in claim 10, wherein the uniqueidentification code is exposed on the film as a latent image.
 17. Themethod claimed in claim 10, wherein the unique identification code isboth human and machine readable.
 18. The method claimed in claim 13,wherein the cassette includes an integrated circuit and the uniqueidentification code is stored in the integrated circuit.